Hot Topics:

Area caves closed due to concerns about bat disease

Sun-News report

Posted:
01/25/2011 11:48:02 PM MST

LAS CRUCES - Three caves overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Las Cruces office are among the 28 in the state that were closed to the public Tuesday because of concerns about a disease that harms bats.

The closures will last two years.

It's an effort to reduce White-nose Syndrome in bats, a disease that has killed over one million hibernating bats in the East and Southeast in the past four years.

The fungus associated with the disease, Geomyces destructans, was found on a bat in western Oklahoma last May thus elevating the concern that the fungus might next arrive in New Mexico, according to the BLM. The fungus is known to be transmitted from bat to bat and from cave to bat. Scientific data also indicates that fungal spores may be spread inadvertently by humans, their clothing, or caving gear from one cave, mine or bat roost to another.

Caves managed by the Las Cruces district that will be closed are Geronimo, U-Bar and Lepto Splat. The district covers multiple counties in southwestern New Mexico.

New Mexico is home to 28 species of bats, including sixteen that hibernate in state. Bats play a critical role in many cave ecosystems and are important nocturnal insectivores that help control insect populations throughout the summer season, according to the BLM.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story

Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty) Plucked strings and pulsing keyboards dominate the distinctive arrangements on Sufjan Stevens' latest album, and in the absence of a rhythm section, they serve to keep time. Full Story